Winning home finale for Giles

Halifax gave player-coach Giles Hetherington the Ovenden Park send off he deserves after recording a stunning 15-12 win over Yorkshire Three promotion-chasing Goole.

Hetherington will leave Halifax at the end of the season to take up a new role at King’s School in Macclesfield - and although there are still two games left of the current campaign both of those are away.

And in front of a large contingent of former players from the club’s glory years, Halifax’s current squad showed tremendous heart and passion to secure the win against a talent Goole team.

Goole were only five points off the second promotion spot and had been in tremendous form all season but Halifax have proved to be their bogey team - with Herherington’s men having won the away fixture as well.

Halifax had started brightly but Goole were first to score, with their fast running game and quick tap-penalties stretching the hosts, allowing them to cross between the posts.

Halifax’s strength was up front and it was the forwards who pulled them back into the game, with Ben Maxwell breaking from a scrum to power over. Nick Bell converted.

Goole were back in front after the break, with the winger controversially awarded a try in the corner despite appearing to be in touch.

Halifax refused to panic and continued the pressurise the visitors. They were rewarded when Daniel Cooil crashed over after a series of drives close to the line.

With the game in the balance, Halifax took the opportunity to slot a penalty through Bell to take a 15-12 lead.

Goole missed a penalty in front of the posts and then turned down another opportunity to kick for goal as they gambled on going for the win.

Halifax’s defence stood firm, though, with the hosts stealing a lineout to clinch a well deserved win.